91Èȱ¬ Proms facts
Audiences and Stage at Royal Albert Hall
What is the 91Èȱ¬ Proms?
The 91Èȱ¬ Proms is the world's biggest and longest-running music festival and features many of the world's greatest artists and orchestras. Over the two months, there are 74 concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, 12 in Cadogan Hall and four Last Night celebrations around the UK. There are also daily Free Proms Plus talks, workshops, performances and family events.
How can I find out what's on when?
The 91Èȱ¬ Proms Guide contains full details of the festival, along with articles about the music and artists. It is available via retailers online and across the country from 15 April 2011. Full details are also available at bbc.co.uk/proms.
Why is it called the "Proms"?
"Proms" is short for Promenade concerts, informal and inexpensive concerts where Promenaders ("Prommers") stand to watch. Promming tickets in 2011 are £5 for the sixth year running. The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, now known as the 91Èȱ¬ Proms, has up to 900 Prommers standing in the central Arena and a further 500 standing, sitting or even lying down in the Gallery.
Where is the Proms held?
Since the first home of the Proms, the Queen's Hall, was bombed in 1941, concerts have been held in the Royal Albert Hall, though the 91Èȱ¬ has the responsibility of running the Proms and its artistic programme. There are also events at Cadogan Hall and a daily programme of Free Proms Plus events at the Royal College of Music.
When did the Proms begin?
Henry Wood, who conducted almost every concert for nearly half a century, lifted his baton for the first time on Saturday 10 August 1895. Even then, Prom concerts were not a new idea: they started in France in the 1830s and were introduced to the UK shortly afterwards.
Whose idea was it?
The Proms was the brainchild of impresario Robert Newman, whose ambition was to enable people to enjoy "serious music". Dr George Cathcart, a London throat specialist, provided the financial support for the new venture to be launched. At that time, concerts were usually expensive, so tickets costing one shilling meant that large audiences could hear a variety of orchestral music for the first time. This idea of bringing the best classical music to the widest possible audience is still at the heart of the modern Proms.
How many people attend the Proms?
In 2010 a record 313,000 tickets were sold for 91Èȱ¬ Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall (excluding free events), an increase of 5 per cent compared with 2009. An average of 4,000 people attended each of the 76 concerts in the Royal Albert Hall.
How many people watch and listen to the Proms?
In 2010 91Èȱ¬ Proms reached a record 18 million viewers across all 91Èȱ¬ television platforms, an increase of two million on the 2009 figure. 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3 reached more than two million people each week.
How much do tickets cost?
There are different price bands for different concerts ranging from £7.50 to £55 (excluding the Last Night). Arena and Gallery Promming tickets cost just £5 each. A Promming season ticket costs £190, bringing the cost of attending each concert down to as little as £2.57.
How can I book tickets?
Booking opens at 9am on Saturday 7 May 2011. Creating a Proms Plan at bbc.co.uk/proms and submitting it as soon as booking opens will speed up the booking process. Customers can also phone 0845 401 5040* or buy tickets in person at the RAH.
How much does the Proms cost to put on?
The total cost of the Proms season, including hire of the RAH, artistic costs, management and extra events, not including Proms in the Park, is around £9 million with an expected £3.5 million gained back through box office income.
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